GAO Greenlights "No Cost" Contracts

A GAO opinion allows federal agencies to use so-called "no-cost" contracts. Under a no-cost contract, a vendor provides services to the government, in exchange for fees collected from third parties. For example, a vendor might organize a conference that benefitted the government, but be compensated only by attendee registration, not payments from the government. A 2005 GAO opinion had cast doubt on the legality of such arrangements. The newer opinion allows them under some circumstances, but warns:

Agency officials ... should consider possible conflicts of interest before signing a no-cost contract, keeping in mind that control of the agenda, selection of speakers and other matters concerning content should serve the government's, not the contractor's, purpose. Ultimately, an agency must not lose sight of its objectives for a particular event and should ensure that in avoiding costs to the agency, it does not take actions that compromise the effectiveness of its conference, undermine the achievement of agency goals, or violate ethics rules.

Updated June 5 to improve clarity.